Shaken by the stress : Does in-uterus earthquake exposure cause long-term disadvantages for the fetus?

Sammanfattning: This study investigates whether in-uterus earthquake exposure causes long-term labor, human capital, and health effects. The health shock is maternal stress, which generates excessive concentration levels of cortisol in the fetal environment, negatively impacting the development of the fetus. I use multiple earthquakes between the years 1960-1980 in the setting of Colombia. In my definition of earthquake exposure, I consider both the intensity and the extent of the shaking. Difference-in-difference estimates show mixed results. I find a higher likelihood of being disabled when exposed during the first trimester and the favorable effect of more years of schooling when exposed during the final trimester. Separating the analysis by gender indicates that the effect on disability is centered around males, while results indicating favorable effects are found among females. Generally, exposure from high intensity shaking generates larger point estimates. The results are sensitive to the exclusion of specific earthquakes. In addition, when including those exposed to shaking that were either not felt or weak into the treatment group, some estimates indicate a long-term impact from such exposure. Based on these inconsistencies I am not able to make any general or causal claims.